Container holder

ABSTRACT

A container holder includes a member disposed in a closed position to be able to draw into an open position, a driving device attached to the member to move the member between the closed position and the open position, and a sensing device for sensing whether or not the member is drawn out for a predetermined amount from the closed position. A control device controls the driving device to cause the member to be housed when the sensing device senses that the member is not drawn out for a predetermined amount. Also, a container placed on a tray can be sensed assuredly regardless of vibration during a movement of a vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a divisional application of a patent application Ser. No.10/301,699 filed on Nov. 11, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

[0002] The present invention relates to a container holder or an ashtrayprovided so as to be capable of appearing and disappearing in and out ofa compartment, i.e. vehicle compartment.

[0003] As drawer devices provided so as to be capable of appearing anddisappearing in and out of a vehicle compartment, generally there arecontainer holders, ash trays, and the like. There is a type that isdrawn out or housed by sliding, but also, there is a type thatautomatically appears and disappears in and out of the vehiclecompartment by pressing a switch.

[0004] For example, in the case of a container holder that automaticallyappears and disappears in and out of a container by pressing a switch,when the switch is pressed, a drive motor which drives the containerholder to move is driven a driving force is transmitted to the containerholder via a power transmission device connected to the motor, and thecontainer holder moves.

[0005] In such a container holder, when torque above a specified valueis applied to the power transmission device during a period until thecontainer holder moves to a specified position, such as when there is anobstacle on a movement track of the container holder, torque abovenecessary amount is prevented from being applied to the drive motor bythat the driving force is not transmitted inside the power transmissiondevice.

[0006] In other words, when the container holder stops during a periodbefore moving to the specified position, if the switch is not pressed,the container holder comes to be left inside the vehicle compartment ina state of a mid-course movement. In this state, when the container isplaced on the container holder, there is a possibility that the desiredeffect of the container holder can not be fully obtained, and safety isa concern.

[0007] The container holder 400 shown in FIG. 32 has semicircularholders 404 which hold containers placed on trays 402, and semicircularsupport arms 406 which are placed opposite to the holders 404 and holdcontainers together with the holders 404.

[0008] The support arm 406 is connected to a slider 410 via a linkagemember 408, and this slider 410 is coupled by a screw to a drive shaft414 of a motor 412 such that it is capable of movement following theaxial direction of the drive shaft 414 by driving of the motor 412. Bythis, the support arm 406 rotates around a pin 415 via the linkagemember 408 such that it opens and closes with respect to the holder 404.

[0009] By such a construction, when a container is placed on a tray 402,the bottom of the container comes to contact with a switch 416 which isexposed by a through-hole 402A formed on the tray 402 and the switchturns on, the motor 412 is driven to rotate forward, and the slider 410moves following the axial direction of the drive shaft 414 such that thesupport arm 406 comes to close via the linkage member 408. Therefore,the container placed on the tray 402 is gripped between the support arm406 and the holder 404 and is held in a stable state.

[0010] Also, when the container that was placed on the tray 402 isremoved, the bottom of the container is separated from the switch 416,the switch is turned off, and the motor 412 is driven to rotate inreverse. By this, the slider moves following the axial direction of thedrive shaft 414, and the support arm 406 is opened via the linkagemember 408. Therefore, the support arm 406 does not become a obstaclewhen the container is placed on the tray 402.

[0011] However, because left and right support arms 406 aresimultaneously opened and closed by causing one slider 410 to move bythe motor 412, for example, when the container is placed on the righttray 402 and the support arm 406 is closed, the left support arm 406 isalso closed. Also, when the container is placed on the left tray 402,the support arm 406 becomes a hindrance and it may not be possible toplace the container on the tray 402.

[0012] Also, in the state in which the containers are placed in the leftand right trays 402, even when the container is removed from the righttray 402, the support arm is not opened because there is a containerplaced in the left tray 402. Therefore, it is difficult to place theremoved container back into the right tray 402.

[0013] Furthermore, in case of a container in which a constricted partis formed on the outer perimeter, for example a cola bottle (notillustrated), when upwardly removing the container which was placed onthe tray 402, there is a possibility that the container can not beremoved if the outer perimeter of the container is caught on the supportarm 406 before the switch 416 turns off.

[0014] Also, when the bottom of the container has a concave, the bottomof the container may not come to contact with the switch 416 which isprovided on the tray 402, and there is a concern that the support arm406 will not close even though the container is placed on the tray 402.

[0015] Furthermore, when a container that was placed on a tray 402 movesup and down due to vibration during running of the vehicle, the state inwhich the container is in contact with the switch 416 can not bemaintained and the switch 416 repeatedly turns on and off, and a statein which the motor 412 is repeatedly driven to rotate forward andbackward each time is a concern.

[0016] In consideration of the above facts, the present inventionprovides a drawer device in which a state of a mid-course movement canbe avoided automatically when torque above a specified value is appliedto the power transmission device during a period until moving to aspecified position.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides a container holderthat can securely hold a container placed on a tray, and insertion andremoval of the container are made smoothly regardless of the shape ofthe container.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention provide a container holderthat can assuredly sense a container that is placed on a tray regardlessof vibration during running of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In the first aspect of the invention, a drawer member is providedso as to be capable of appearing and disappearing in and out of avehicle compartment, and it appears and disappears in and out of thevehicle compartment by driving means. Whether or not this drawer memberis drawn out a specified amount is sensed by sensing means, and when itis sensed by this sensing means that the drawer member is not drawn outa specified amount, control means controls the driving means to causethe drawer member to be housed.

[0020] For example, a switch, or the like, is disposed in a specifiedposition as the sensing means such that the switch is turned on when thedrawer member is drawn out a specified amount, and the drawer member iscaused to be housed by the control means when the switch is not turnedon. By this, the drawer device is not left inside the vehiclecompartment in a mid-course of the movement. Therefore, it is safebecause there is no situation in which the drawer is used in this stateregardless of the mid-course of movement.

[0021] In the second aspect of the invention, the control means drivesthe driving means to cause the drawer member to be housed when torqueabove a specified value is applied to the driving means during theperiod until the drawer member moves to a specified position.

[0022] By this, for example, when the torque above the specified valueis applied to the driving means during the period until the drawermember moves to the specified position, such as when there is anobstacle on the movement track of the drawer member, by the fact thatthe drawer member is housed by the control means, the drawer member isnot left inside the vehicle compartment in the mid-course of movement,and also torque above necessity is not applied to the driving means.

[0023] In the third aspect of the invention, it is sensed as to whetheror not the drawer member is drawn out the specified amount. Thus, it isjudged whether or not the operation of the drawer member is normal atthe specified position by sensing whether or not the drawer member wasdrawn out within a predefined time.

[0024] In the fourth aspect of the invention, a change of the torqueapplied to the driving means is sensed by the sensing means by a changeof electrical current. Thus, it is judged as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value is applied to the driving means by sensing thechange of electrical current.

[0025] In the fifth aspect of the invention, container receiving partsare formed on a main arm on the left and right in the width direction ofa vehicle. Also, the main arm is made to be able to appear and disappearin and out of the vehicle compartment by first driving means, and a traythat is provided independently corresponding to each of the receivingparts on the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle movesin linkage.

[0026] Meanwhile, an adjusting member that is provided independentlycorresponding to each of the receiving parts on the left and right inthe width direction of the vehicle holds the container placed on thetray together with the receiving part. Also, the adjusting member ismade to be able to move toward the container placed on the tray bysecond driving means.

[0027] Thus, by providing the tray and the adjusting memberindependently corresponding to each of the receiving parts on the leftand right in the width direction of the vehicle, for example, when thecontainer is placed on the right tray, the right adjusting member movestoward the container and holds the container together with the receivingpart. On the other hand, because the left adjusting member does notmove, a container can be smoothly placed on the left tray.

[0028] Also, when the container is removed from the right tray in astate in which the containers are placed on the left and right trays,the left adjusting member does not move because the left tray has thecontainer placed, but because the right adjusting member moves towardthe direction away from the container, it is easy to place the removedcontainer when placing it back on the right tray.

[0029] Furthermore, by moving the adjusting member and holding thecontainer together with the receiving part, it differs from the case inwhich the container is held simply by the force of a spring, or thelike, in that the container can be securely held by a holding force thatis roughly equal regardless of the size of the container.

[0030] Also, even if the sizes of the containers which are placedrespectively on each tray are different, the containers can be securelyheld by the receiving parts and adjusting members for each tray fittingthe sizes of the containers.

[0031] In the sixth aspect of the invention, a sub arm is supported soas to be capable of swaying on the main arm, and this sub arm swaystogether with the movement of the adjusting member. By this, the sub armis opened in the state in which the container is not placed on the tray,and when the container is placed on the tray, the sub arm sways to beclosed accompanying the movement of the adjusting member.

[0032] Accordingly, for example, when the container is removed from theright tray in a state in which the containers are placed on the left andright trays, the left adjusting member does not move because the lefttray has the container placed, and the sub arm is in a closed state, butthe right adjusting member moves toward the direction away from thecontainer and the sub arm is moved to be opened. Therefore, when placingthe removed container back on the right tray, it is easy to placebecause the sub arm is open.

[0033] In the seventh aspect of the invention, when the container isplaced on the tray, the tray switch is operated by the movement of thetray. The second driving means is driven by the control means to closethe sub arm when this tray switch is turned on, and to open the sub armwhen it is turned off.

[0034] Thus, by operating the tray switch by the movement of the tray,because it is judged as to whether or not the container was placed onthe tray by the weight of the container, and the placement ornon-placement of the container can be sensed assuredly.

[0035] In the eighth aspect of the invention, forcing means that forcesthe sub arm toward the closing direction is provided such that the subarm is capable of swaying toward the direction opposite to the force ofthe forcing means when the sub arm is in the closed state.

[0036] Therefore, even when the container placed on the tray has a shapein which a constricted part is formed on the outer perimeter, forexample a cola bottle, the container can be easily removed by causingthe sub arm to sway toward the direction opposite to the force to beopened.

[0037] In the ninth aspect of the invention, when the adjusting memberis closed and meets with the container, the control means returns theadjusting member for a specified amount. By this, a slight gap isprovided with the container held by the receiving part and the adjustingmember, and the container is made easier to remove.

[0038] In the tenth aspect of the invention, it is made such that themain arm is caused to be housed by the control means when torque above aspecified value is applied to the first driving means during the perioduntil the main arm moves toward a specified position inside the vehiclecompartment. By this, it is safe because the main arm is not left in astopped state in a mid-course of movement toward the specified positioninside the vehicle compartment.

[0039] In the eleventh aspect of the invention, it is made such that themain arm is caused to stop by the control means when torque above thespecified value is applied to the first driving means during the perioduntil the main arm moves toward a specified position inside the vehiclecompartment.

[0040] By this, it is safe because the main arm is not forcefully pushedout toward the inside of the vehicle compartment regardless of torqueabove the specified value being applied to the first driving means, andtorque above necessity is not applied to the first driving means.

[0041] In the twelfth aspect of the invention, the main arm is madeimmovable when the tray switch is in the turned-on state. By this, forexample, even if the main switch which drives the first driving means isaccidentally pressed regardless of the fact that the container is heldon the tray, the placed container does not move to the side because themain arm does not rotate.

[0042] In the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the first drivingmeans has a first planetary gear fixed to the main arm. This firstplanetary gear is made such that a rotational force is applied by afirst motor, and when the rotational force is applied by the firstmotor, the first planetary gear revolves around a first fixed gear, andthe main arm rotates.

[0043] The second driving means has a second planetary gear fixed to theadjusting member. This second planetary gear is made such that arotational force is applied by a second motor, and when the rotationalforce is applied by the second motor, the second planetary gear revolvesaround a second gear fixed to the main arm and is capable of rotationintegrally with the main arm.

[0044] By this, when the first motor is driven, the first planetary gearrevolves around the first fixed gear and the main arm rotates, and inaddition, the second gear rotates via the main arm, the second planetarygear which engages this second gear is caused to revolve, and theadjusting member is caused to rotate. Also, when the second motor isdriven in the state in which driving of the first motor is stopped, theplanetary gear revolves around the second gear stopped via the main armwhich has stopped rotation, and the adjusting member rotates.

[0045] In the fourteenth aspect of the invention, container receivingparts are provided on the main arm, and holding members that hold thecontainers together with these receiving parts are made to be movabletoward the containers by the first driving means.

[0046] Here, the container receiving parts are provided with sensingmeans that contactlessly senses the container placed between thereceiving part and the holding member, and when it is sensed by thissensing means that the container is placed between the receiving partand the holding member, the first driving means is driven by the controlmeans to move the holding member toward the container, and the containeris held by the receiving part and the holding member.

[0047] Thus, by providing the contactless sensing means to sense whetheror not the container is placed between the receiving part and theholding member, even if the container moves up and down due to vibrationduring running of the vehicle, the sensing means is not influenced bythis. That is, the container placed between the receiving part and theholding member can be assuredly sensed regardless of the vibrationduring running of the vehicle.

[0048] In the fifteenth aspect of the invention, a photoelectric sensorthat projects light toward the side or the bottom of a container is usedas the sensing means. By causing light projected from the lightprojecting body to be transmitted or reflected, it can be sensed as towhether the container is placed between the receiving part and theholding member by the change of luminous energy received by the lightreceiving body.

[0049] In the sixteenth aspect of the invention, an ultrasonic sensorthat emits ultrasonic waves toward the side or the bottom of thecontainer is used as the sending means. By causing ultrasonic waveswhich are emitted from the wave transmitting body to be reflected andcausing them to be received by the wave receiving body, it can be sensedas to whether or not the container is placed between the receiving partand the holding member by the time required from when the ultrasonicwaves are emitted by the wave transmitter to when the ultrasonic wavesare received by the wave receiver.

[0050] In the seventeenth aspect of the invention, the main arm iscaused to appear and disappear in and out of the vehicle compartment bythe second driving means. Therefore, it is convenient because the mainarm does not have to appear and disappear in and out of the vehiclecompartment by a manual operation.

[0051] In the eighteenth aspect of the invention, it is made such thatthe main arm is caused to be housed by the control means when torqueabove a specified value is applied to the second driving means duringthe time until the main arm moves to a specified position inside thevehicle compartment. By this, it is safe because the main arm is notleft in a stopped state in a mid-course of movement toward the specifiedposition inside the vehicle compartment.

[0052] In the nineteenth aspect of the invention, the sub arm issupported so as to be capable of swaying on the main arm, and this subarm sways together with the movement of the holding member. By this,when the sub arm is opened in a state in which the container is notplaced between the receiving part and the holding member, the containeris placed, and the sub arm sways so as to be closed accompanying themovement of the holding member.

[0053] In the twentieth aspect of the invention, forcing means thatforces the sub arm toward the closing direction is provided such thatthe sub arm is capable of swaying toward the direction opposing theforce of the forcing means when the sub arm is in the closed state.

[0054] Therefore, even when the container that is placed between thereceiving part and the holding member has a shape in which a constrictedpart is formed on the outer perimeter, for example a cola bottle, thecontainer can be easily removed by causing the sub arm to sway towardthe direction opposing the force and to be opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055]FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing a placement inside avehicle compartment of a container holder pertaining to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0056]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention has appeared insidethe vehicle compartment.

[0057]FIG. 3 is an underside view showing a drive system of thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention.

[0058]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the drive system ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention.

[0059]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the containerholder pertaining to the present invention has appeared inside thevehicle compartment.

[0060]FIG. 6 is a generalized sectional view showing the state in whicha photoelectric sensor is disposed in the container holder pertaining tothe present invention.

[0061]FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing showing a main base plate and amain arm, sub arms, trays, assisting plates, and sub assisting plateswhich rotate via the main base plate, which are constituents of thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention.

[0062]FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing showing an adjusting base plateand an adjusting arm and an adjusting plate which rotate via theadjusting base plate, which are constituents of the container holderpertaining to the present invention.

[0063]FIG. 9 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsthe state in which the container holder is housed.

[0064]FIG. 10 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsthe state in which the container holder is in a mid-course of appearinginside the vehicle compartment or being housed.

[0065]FIG. 11 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsthe state in which the container holder is in the mid-course ofappearing inside the vehicle compartment or being housed.

[0066]FIG. 12 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it shows astandby state.

[0067]FIG. 13 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsanother standby state.

[0068]FIG. 14 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsthe state in which the container is being placed on the tray.

[0069]FIG. 15 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsthe holding state.

[0070]FIG. 16 is a generalized sectional view showing the operation ofthe container holder pertaining to the present invention, and it showsthe state in which the container which was placed on the tray is beingremoved.

[0071]FIG. 17 is an underside view showing the operation of thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention, and it shows thestate in which the sub arm is closed.

[0072]FIG. 18 is an underside view showing the operation of thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention, and it shows thestate in which the sub arm is open.

[0073]FIG. 19 is an underside view showing the operation of thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention, and it shows thestate in which the sub arm is closed.

[0074]FIG. 20 is an underside view showing the operation of thecontainer holder pertaining to the present invention, and it shows thestate in which the sub arm is open in opposition to the force of atorsion spring.

[0075]FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder pertaining to the present invention.

[0076]FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder pertaining to the present invention.

[0077]FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder pertaining to the present invention.

[0078]FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder pertaining to the present invention.

[0079]FIG. 25 is a generalized sectional view showing another example ofa photoelectric sensor disposed in the container holder pertaining tothe present invention.

[0080]FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the state in which anultrasonic sensor is disposed in the container holder pertaining to thepresent invention.

[0081]FIG. 27 is a generalized sectional view showing the state in whichthe ultrasonic sensor is disposed in the container holder pertaining tothe present invention.

[0082]FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder in which the drawer device pertaining to the present invention isapplied.

[0083]FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder in which the drawer device pertaining to the present invention isapplied.

[0084]FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder in which the drawer device pertaining to the present invention isapplied.

[0085]FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the operation of the containerholder in which the drawer device pertaining to the present invention isapplied.

[0086]FIG. 32 is an explanatory drawing showing the conventionalcontainer holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0087]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a container holder 10 pertaining to thepresent invention. This container holder is disposed so as to be capableof being housed inside a housing part 14 (see FIG. 9) of a console box12 which is placed between a driver seat and a front passenger seat of avehicle.

[0088] The container holder 10 is largely divided into a tray 18 onwhich a container 16 is placed, a main arm 20 which holds a container 16placed on the tray 18, a sub arm 22 which is supported so as to becapable of swaying on the main arm 20, and an adjusting arm 24 whichcauses the sub arm 22 to sway and also holds a container 16 togetherwith the main arm 20.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the main arm 20 is roughlyarc-shaped in section, and it appears and disappears, i.e. move in andout of the vehicle compartment while drawing an arc. On the rear endpart of this main arm 20, a main base plate 26 which is roughly L-shapedin section is connected.

[0090] On this main base plate 26, as shown in FIG. 3, a main motor 28is disposed and is directly coupled with a worm 30 provided on the mainbase plate 26 such that the rotational force from the main motor 28 istransmitted to the worm 30.

[0091] The rotational force transmitted to the worm 30 is changed in thedirection of the rotational axis via a worm gear not illustrated, and istransmitted to gears 32 and 34 placed on the same axis, (illustrationsof small-diameter gears that are hidden by large-diameter gears areomitted) which are provided on the main base plate 26. Also, therotational force transmitted to the gear 34 is transmitted to a gear 38via a torque limiter 36.

[0092] Here, when torque above a specified value is applied in the geararray 40 which is constituted by gears 32 and 34, the torque limiter 36slips such that the rotational force is not transmitted to the gear 38.By this, it is made such that torque above necessity is not applied tothe main motor 28.

[0093] The gear 38 to which the rotational force was transmitted via thetorque limiter 36 again changes the direction of the rotational axis byan umbrella gear 42, and transmits the rotational force to a planetarygear 50 which is integrally formed with the umbrella gear 42.

[0094] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a fixed shaft 80 isfixed on two side plates 52A of a base box 52 placed inside the housingpart 14 (see FIG. 9), and the center of the fixed shaft 80 is supportedby a support plate 54 which extends from the base box 52.

[0095] A fixed gear 56 is fixed to the support plate 54. The planetarygear 50 engages the fixed gear 56, and when the rotational force istransmitted to the planetary gear 50 by the rotation of the main motor28, the planetary gear 50 revolves around the fixed gear 56. By this,the main base plate 26 rotates around the fixed axis 80 via theplanetary gear 50.

[0096] Therefore, when the main motor 28 is driven to rotate forward orbackward, the main base plate 26 causes the main arm 20 to rotate towardthe direction of appearing inside the vehicle compartment ordisappearing i.e. being housed, via the planetary gear 50 which revolvesaround the fixed gear 56.

[0097] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the adjusting arm 24 isroughly arc-shaped in section, wherein each one is placed on the leftand right in the width direction of the vehicle, and each appears anddisappears in and out of the vehicle compartment while drawing an arc.On the rear end of each adjusting arm 24, an adjusting base plate 58which is roughly L-shaped in section is respectively connected.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an adjusting motor 60 is disposedfor each adjusting base plate 58, and the rotational force of theadjusting motor 60 is transmitted independently. On this adjusting motor60, a worm 62 which is provided on the adjusting base plate 58 isdirectly coupled such that the rotational force from the adjusting motor60 is transmitted.

[0099] The rotational force transmitted to the worm 62 is transmitted togears 64 and 66 placed on the same axis, (illustrations ofsmall-diameter gears that are hidden by large-diameter gears areomitted) which are provided on the adjusting base plate 58 via a wormgear not illustrated, and the rotational force is transmitted to a gear70 via a torque limiter 68.

[0100] Here, when torque above a specified value is applied in this geararray 72, the torque limiter 68 slips such that the rotational force isnot transmitted to the gear 70. By this, it is made such that torqueabove necessity is not applied to the adjusting motor 60. Also, the gear70 to which the rotational force was transmitted via the torque limiter68 transmits the rotational force to a planetary gear 78 which isintegrally formed with an umbrella gear 74.

[0101] Here, on each adjusting motor 60, an electrical current detector(not illustrated) which detects the electrical current passing throughthe adjusting motor 60 is respectively connected such that the change oftorque applied to the adjusting motor 60 is detected by detecting theamount of electrical current passing through the adjusting motor 60.Therefore, when torque above necessity is applied to the adjusting motor60, the amount of electrical current passing through the adjusting motor60 rises.

[0102] Thus, by detecting the amount of electrical current passingthrough the adjusting motor 60, the fact that a container 16 has come tocontact with an adjusting plate 112 (to be described later) which isprovided on the front end of the adjusting arm 24 is determined by thatchange of the electrical current.

[0103] On the other hand, the planetary gear 78 engages an adjustinggear 82 which is transfixed so as to be capable of rotation on the fixedshaft 80 which is fixed to the base box 52, and in the state in whichthe adjusting gear 82 is incapable of rotation (to be described later),the planetary gear 78 revolves around the adjusting gear 82, and causesthe adjusting base plate 58 to rotate inside the base box 52 around thefixed shaft 80.

[0104] Incidentally, on both sides of the base part of the main baseplate 26, rollers 84 which are transfixed so as to be capable ofrotation on the fixed shaft 80 are respectively fixed, and it rotatesaround the fixed shaft 80 together with the rotation of the main baseplate 26. The adjusting gear 82 is integrally formed respectively oneach roller 84, and it rotates integrally with the main base plate 26.

[0105] Therefore, when the main motor 28 is driven and the planetarygear 50 rotates via the gear array 40 and revolves around the fixed gear56 and the main base plate is driven, the adjusting gear 82 rotates andthe planetary gear 78 which engages the adjusting gear 82 revolves. Bythis, the left and right adjusting base plates 58 respectively rotateinside the base box 52 around the fixed shaft 80.

[0106] Also, when driving of the main motor 28 is stopped and therotation of the main base plate 26 is stopped, the roller 84 which isfixed to the main base plate 26 and the adjusting gear 82 becomeincapable of rotation. In this state, when the adjusting motor 60 isdriven, the planetary gear 78 rotates via the gear array 72, and bythis, the planetary gear 78 revolves around the adjusting gear 72, andthe adjusting base plate 58 rotates.

[0107] That is, when the main motor 28 is driven, the main base plate 26and the left and right adjusting base plates 58 rotate, and when theadjusting motor 60 is driven in the state in which driving of the mainmotor 28 is stopped, the adjusting base plate 58 rotates.

[0108] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7, on the mainarm 20, a holder 86 is provided respectively on the left and the rightin the width direction of the vehicle. This holder 86 is formed as anarc viewed horizontally, and both sides in the width direction of themain arm 20 are open. Also, on both sides of the rear end of the mainarm 20, the sub arms 22 are respectively supported, and each is madecapable of swaying at the opening in the width direction of the main arm20.

[0109] Meanwhile, a pass-through slot 88 is formed on the console box12, and the main arm 20 and the sub arms 22 become capable of appearinginside the vehicle compartment by passing through this pass-through slot88. At this time, it is made such that the sub arms 22 pass through thepass-through slot 88 in a closed state, and they are opened afterpassing through the pass-through slot 88 (to be described later).

[0110] Here, a cosmetic plate 90 is formed on the front end of the mainarm 20, and the pass-through slot 88 becomes capable of being closed bythis cosmetic plate 90. A main switch 92 is disposed on the cosmeticplate 90 such that the main motor 28 (see FIG. 3) is driven when thismain switch 92 is pressed.

[0111] Also, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, an assisting plate 94 isattachable on the main base plate 26 which is driven by the main motor28. This assisting plate 94 has a pair of fins 94B extending outwardfrom a plate-shaped stand 94A and facing opposite each other, and thetips of these fins 94B are fixed on the left and right in the widthdirection of the main base plate 26.

[0112] By this, the assisting plate 94 rotates integrally with the mainbase plate 26. Also, the undersides of the adjusting base plates 58which are placed on the left and right of the main base plate 26respectively become capable of contacting with the stand 94A (see FIG.9).

[0113] Therefore, as described previously, when the main motor 28 isdriven, the main base plate 26 and the left and right adjusting baseplates 58 become capable of rotation, but the adjusting base plates 58are supported by the assisting plate 94.

[0114] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, on the base box 52, aclose switch 96 is disposed on top of the movement track of theassisting plate 94, and the assisting plate 94 becomes capable ofcontact in the state in which the container holder 10 is housed in thehousing part 14.

[0115] Also, on the left and right of the stand 94A of the assistingplate 94, a pair of sub assisting plates 98 which is roughlyrectangularly shaped plates is fixed such that they rotate integrallywith the main base plate 26 via the assisting plate 94. A shaft 100 isfixed to these sub assisting plates 98, and the trays 18 are supportedto be capable of rotation.

[0116] Here, the tray 18 is provided independently on the left and rightfor each holder 86 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5), a tray torsion spring notillustrated is respectively installed on the base part of the tray 18,and it forces the tray 18 toward the main arm 20.

[0117] Also, a contact piece 102 extends outward respectively from thebase part of the tray 18, and when the tray 18 is rotated for aspecified angle, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, it contacts aprotruding piece 104 which is formed on the base box 52, and by therotation of the main base plate 26, the tray 18 comes to rotate aroundthe shaft 100 based on the protruding piece 104 toward the directionopposing the force of the tray torsion spring.

[0118] By this, the tray 18 is placed beneath the main arm 20, and itbecomes capable of placing the container 16. However, in this state, thetray 18 is not placed parallel to the upper surface 12A of the consolebox 12, and a gap appears between the upper surface 12A of the consolebox 12 and the contact part 106 which is placed to protrude on the frontend of the tray by the force of the tray torsion spring. As shown inFIG. 14, the contact part 106 of the tray 18 contacts with the uppersurface 12A of the console box 12 in the state in which the container 16is placed (horizontal state).

[0119] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, an open switch 108 isdisposed on the upper surface of the main base plate 26, and it contactswith the ceiling surface 52B of the base box 52 such that the openswitch 108 is pressed in the state in which the main base plate 26 isrotated for a specified angle.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 12, when this open switch 108 is turned on,driving of the main motor 28 is stopped, and rotations of the main arm20, sub arms 22, trays 18, adjusting base plates 58, and adjusting arms24 are stopped via the main base plate 26 (below, this state is called“standby 1 state”). In addition, the two adjusting motors 60 are drivenand the state of contact with the assisting plate 94 is released.

[0121] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 17, one end of a torsion spring110 is installed on the base part of the sub arm 22, the other end ofthe torsion spring 110 is installed on the main arm 20, and the sub arm22 is forced toward the closing direction.

[0122] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, on the front end of the adjusting arm24 which is connected to the adjusting base plate 58, the adjustingplate 112 which is roughly bracket shaped in section with the openingdownward is attached to be capable of rotating upward on the adjustingarm 24 in the state in which it has appeared at a specified positioninside the vehicle compartment.

[0123] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 17, a coupling part 114 is formed onthe base part of the sub arm 22, and by rotation of the adjusting arm24, it is guided by a wall part 116 which is formed on the adjustingplate 112, and after it contacts with a guide wall 117 which is formedon the front end of the adjusting arm 24, it is guided by the guide wall117 and couples with a cam wall 118. By this, as shown in FIG. 18, thesub arm 22 sways from the closed state to the open state.

[0124] Incidentally, an adjusting arm switch 122 which is fixed to theinner wall of the base box 52 is placed on the movement track of anadjusting plate 120 which is attached to the adjusting base plate 58.

[0125] It is made such that the adjusting plate 120 contacts with theadjusting arm switch 122 in the state in which the sub arm 22 iscompletely open, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 13, and when this adjustingarm switch 122 is turned on, the adjusting motor 60 (see FIG. 3) isstopped, and it comes to a state in which a container 16 can be placedon the tray (below, this state is called “standby 2 state”).

[0126] Here, because the trays 18 are provided independently with eachother corresponding to the holders 86, when the container 16 is placedon the tray 18 in the standby 2 state, as shown in FIG. 14, only thetray 18 on the side on which the container 16 was placed sinks by theweight of the container 16, and the tray 18 comes to the horizontalstate with the contact part 106 of the tray 18 contacting with the uppersurface 12A of the console box 12.

[0127] Because it is determined as to whether or not the container 16 isplaced on the tray 18 by moving the tray 18 and operating a tray switch124 by the weight of the container 16, the placement or non-placement ofthe container 16 can be assuredly sensed.

[0128] Meanwhile, on the main base plate 26, the tray switch 124 isdisposed respectively corresponding to each tray 18 such that the trayswitch 124 is pressed by the contact piece 102 which is provided on theside of the tray 18 in the state in which the tray 18 is placedhorizontally.

[0129] When this tray switch 124 is turned on, the adjusting motor 60(see FIG. 3) is further driven to rotate forward. By this, as shown inFIG. 18, the adjusting arm 24 rotates and the coupling part 114 of thesub arm 22 is guided to the cam wall 118, and the sub arm 22 swaystoward the closing direction, and as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 14, thecontainer 16 is held by the holder 86, adjusting plate 112, and sub arm22 (below, this state is called “holding state”).

[0130] Thus, by providing the tray 18 and the adjusting arms 24independently on the left and right in the width direction of thevehicle corresponding to each holder 86, for example as shown in FIG. 2,when the container 16 is placed on the left tray 18, the left adjustingarm 24 rotates, and the left sub arm 22 sways and is closed.

[0131] On the other hand, because the right arm 24 does not rotate, theright sub arm 22 does not sway and remains in the open state (solidline). Accordingly, the container 16 can be placed smoothly on the righttray 18.

[0132] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a photoelectric sensor130 is capable of being disposed on the holder 86 of the main arm 20.This photoelectric sensor 130 is constituted by a light projector 134and a light receiver 136, and they are placed opposite to each other foreach holder 86.

[0133] The light projector 134 and light receiver 136 are respectivelyfixed to stands 132 which are formed as a crank shape in section, andthe light projector 134 and light receiver 136 are fixed to theunderside of the holder 86 via these stands 132. Also, through-holes 86Aare formed on the parts of the holder 86 where the light emittingelement or light receiving element (both not illustrated) of the lightprojector 134 and the light receiver 136 are placed such that theprojected light can pass through.

[0134] Thus, by disposing the photoelectric sensor 130 in the holder 86,when it becomes in the standby 2 state, the photoelectric sensor 130 isactivated, light is projected from the light projector 134, and theprojected light is received by the light receiver 136.

[0135] Therefore, when the container 16 is placed on the tray 18 in thestandby 2 state (when the container 16 is placed between the holder 86and the sub holder 22), because the light projected from the lightprojector is blocked and the light does not reach the light receiver136, it is recognized that the container was placed on the tray 18.

[0136] Also, the light receiver 136 is made to be able to detect theamount of received light, and by control means not illustrated, when itis determined that the amount of received light over the amount of lightprojected by the light projector 134 is less than a specified value, itis recognized that the container 16 has been placed on the tray 18.Thus, by detecting the amount of light received by the light receiver136, even when the container 16 is transparent, the presence or absenceof a container 16 placed on the tray 18 can be assuredly sensed.

[0137] Here, when the container is placed on the tray 18 and it isdetermined that the amount of light received by the light receiver 136is less than the specified value, the adjusting motor 60 (see FIG. 3) isfurther driven to rotate forward. By this, as shown in FIG. 19, theadjusting arm 24 rotates and the coupling part 114 of the sub arm 22 isguided to the cam wall 118, and the sub arm 22 sways toward the closingdirection. And as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 15, the container 16 is heldby the holder 86, adjusting plate 112, and sub arm 22 (below, this stateis called “holding state”).

[0138] Thus, by providing the tray 18 and the adjusting arm 24independently on the left and right in the width direction of thevehicle corresponding to each holder 86, for example as shown in FIG. 5,when the container 16 (see FIG. 2) is placed on the left tray 18, it isdetermined that the amount of light received by the light receiver 136which is placed on the side of the left holder 86 is less than thespecified value, the left adjusting arm 24 rotates, and the left sub arm22 sways and is closed.

[0139] On the other hand, because the light projected from the lightprojector 134 is received without change by the light receiver 136 whichis placed in the right holder 86, the state in which it is recognizedthat the container 16 is not placed between the light projector 134 andthe light receiver 136 is maintained, and the right adjusting arm 24does not rotate. Therefore, the right sub arm 22 does not sway andremains in the open state (solid line), and the container 16 can beplaced smoothly on the right tray 18.

[0140] Also, when the container 16 is removed from the right tray 18 inthe state in which the containers 16 were placed on the left and righttrays, the light projected from the projector 134 is received withoutchange by the light receiver 136 on the right, and it is recognized thatthe container 16 is not placed. Therefore, the right adjusting arm 24rotates, and the sub arm 22 sways and is opened.

[0141] On the other hand, because the container 16 is placed on the lefttray 18, the light projected by the light projector 134 remains in theblocked state at the left light receiver 136, and the sub arm 22 is inthe closed state. Therefore, when the container 16 is placed back on theright tray 18, it is easy to place because the sub arm 22 is open.

[0142] According to the above construction, by making it such thatwhether or not the container 16 is placed on the tray 18 can be sensedby using the photoelectric sensor 130, even when the container 16 movesup and down due to vibration during running of the vehicle, thephotoelectric sensor 130 is not influenced by this. That is, thecontainer 16 that is placed on the tray 18 can be assuredly sensedregardless of the vibration during running of the vehicle.

[0143] Also, by the fact that the sub arm 22 is caused to sway by theadjusting arm 24 and the adjusting plate 112 holds the container 16cooperatively with the sub arm 22, it differs from the case in which thecontainer 16 is held by the force of a spring, or the like. And, thecontainer 16 can be held by a holding force that is roughly equalregardless of the size of the container (to be described later).

[0144] Furthermore, even if the sizes of the containers 16 which areplaced respectively in the trays 18 are different, the containers 16 canbe securely held by the holders 86 and the adjusting plates 112 in therespective trays 18 by fitting the sizes of the containers 16.

[0145] Here, when the sub arm 22 is in the closed state, as shown inFIG. 20, it is made such that the coupling part 114 of the sub arm 22can sway toward the direction opposing the force of the torsion spring110 following the cam wall 118, and the sub arm 22 can be opened for aspecified amount.

[0146] By this, even when a container forms a constriction by the outerperimeter, for example a cola bottle (not illustrated), the containercan be easily removed by causing the sub arm 22 to sway in the directionopposing the force of the torsion spring 110.

[0147] Also, the front end of the adjusting plate 112 becomes capable ofrotating upward on the adjusting arm 24. By this, in the case of a colacontainer, it can be made easier to remove the container not only by theswaying of the sub arm 22, but also by the rotation of the adjustingplate 112.

[0148] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 15, the adjusting plate 112 which isattached to the front end of the adjusting arm 24 is made to be able tocontact with the perimeter wall of the container. Therefore, when theadjusting arm 24 and the adjusting plate 112 rotate via the adjustingbase plate 58, the container contacts the holder 86.

[0149] Also, the cam wall 118 (see FIG. 17) is made such that the subarm 22 can be opened and closed quickly with a slight stroke. By this,by quickly closing the sub arm 22 in the holding state, when thecontainer 16 which is placed on the tray 18 is pushed against the holder86 by the adjusting plate 112, by the fact that the container 16 is heldby the sub arm 22 with the holder 86, the movement of the container 16is assisted such that the container 16 does not turn or fall on thetray.

[0150] Incidentally, in the holding state, the main motor 28 iscontrolled so as not to be driven even if the main switch 92 is pressed,and when the main switch 92 is accidentally pressed regardless of thefact that the container 16 is placed on the tray 18, it is made suchthat there is no situation in which the main arm 20 is caused to rotateand the container 16 turns or falls on the tray.

[0151] Meanwhile, when the container holder 10 is to be housed, thecontainer 16 is removed from the container holder 10 and the tray 18 isrestored to the original state. As shown in FIG. 16, the contact piece102 of the tray 18 is separated from the tray switch 124, and the trayswitch 124 turns off.

[0152] Also, in case the container holder 10 is to be housed, when thecontainer is removed from the container holder 10, because the lightprojected by the light projector 134 is not blocked at the lightreceiver 136 on the right, the amount of received light by the lightreceiver 136 becomes above a specified value, and it is recognized thata container 16 is not placed between the light projector 134 and thelight receiver 136.

[0153] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 13, the adjusting motor 60(see FIG. 3) is driven to rotate in reverse and the sub arm 22 swaystoward the open direction, and in addition, the adjusting plate 120 isseparated from the adjusting arm switch 122 and the adjusting arm switch122 turns off, and just as in the standby 2 state, it becomes such thatthe container 16 can be placed on the tray 18 (below, this state iscalled “re-standby 2 state”).

[0154] When the main switch 92 is pressed in this re-standby 2 state,the operation of the photoelectric sensor 130 is stopped by the controlmeans, and at the same time, the adjusting motor 60 (see FIG. 3) isdriven to rotate in reverse, and as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 12, the subarm 22 is caused to be closed by having removed the container 16.

[0155] Here, by rotating the adjusting base plate 58, the adjusting baseplate 58 approaches the stand 94A of the assisting plate 94. An armpositioning switch 126 is provided on the underside of the adjustingbase plate 58 such that the arm positioning switch 126 is pressed by thestand 94A in the state in which the adjusting base plate 58 hascontacted with this stand 94A. When this arm positioning switch 126 isturned on, the adjusting motor 60 stops (below, this state is called“housing standby state”).

[0156] Next, the main motor 28 (see FIG. 3) is driven to rotate inreverse, and as shown in FIG. 10, the main base plate 26 and the leftand right adjusting base plates 58 rotate toward the direction to behoused inside the housing part 14.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 9, when the container holder 10 is housed insidethe housing part 14, the pass-through slot 88 is closed by the cosmeticplate 90 which is installed on the front end of the main arm 20, and inaddition, the assisting plate 94 contacts the close switch 96, and theclose switch 96 is turned on. By this, the driving of the main motor 28is stopped.

[0158] Next, the operation of the container holder pertaining to thepresent mode is explained following the flow charts shown in FIG. 21 toFIG. 24 and referring to FIG. 3.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 9, first, when the main switch 92 which isprovided on the cosmetic plate 90 placed inside the vehicle compartmentis pressed, in step 200, it is recognized by a control device notillustrated that the main switch 92 was turned on.

[0160] By this, in step 202, the main motor 28 is driven to rotateforward. Therefore, the planetary gear 50 shown in FIG. 4 revolvesaround the fixed gear 56 and the main base plate 26 rotates, and inaddition, the planetary gears 78 revolve by the adjusting gears 82 viathe main base plate 26 and the adjusting base plates 58 rotate, and asshown in FIG. 11, the main arm 20, trays 18, and adjusting arms 24rotate and they appear inside the vehicle compartment.

[0161] Next, in step 204, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove a specified value was applied to the gear array 40, and when thetorque above the specified value was applied to the gear array 40 viathe main arm 20 and the main base plate 26, such as when there is anobstacle on the movement track of the main arm 20, in step 206, it isdetermined as to whether or not the number of times in which torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear array 40 in the courseof step 200 to step 204 is one time (it was defined as one time in thepresent embodiment, but the number of times can be freely set).

[0162] When the number of times in which torque above the specifiedvalue was applied to the gear array 40 in the course of step 200 to step204 is one time, in step 208, the main motor 28 idles and the rotationof the main arm 20 is stopped via the main base plate 26. Also, in step210, when it is determined that the specified time has elapsed, in step216, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate in reverse.

[0163] By this, the main arm 20, trays 18, adjusting base plates 58, andadjusting arms 24 rotate toward the housing direction via the main baseplate 26, the container holder 10 which is constituted by the main arm20, and the like, is housed (see FIG. 9), and the close switch 96 whichis disposed on the base box 52 is pressed by the assisting plate 94.

[0164] Also, in step 218, when it is recognized that the close switch 96was turned on, in step 220, the driving of the main motor 28 is stoppedand the operation ends.

[0165] On the other hand, when the number of times in which torque abovethe specified value was applied to the gear array 40 in the course ofstep 200 to step 204 is two times, in step 212, the driving of the mainmotor 28 is stopped. By this, the rotation of the container holder 10 isstopped via the main base plate 26.

[0166] In this state, the main switch 92 is pressed, and in step 214,when it is recognized that the main switch 92 was turned on, in step216, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate in reverse, and in step 218,when it is recognized that the close switch 96 was turned on, thecontainer holder 10 is housed (see FIG. 9). Here, in step 218, when itis not recognized that the close switch 96 was turned on, the flow ismoved to the operations from step 212.

[0167] On the other hand, before the housing state shown in FIG. 9, instep 211, when torque above the specified value was applied to the geararray 40, in step 213, the main motor 28 idles. By this, the main arm 20and the like rotate via the main base plate 26.

[0168] Also, in step 215, when it is recognized that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 217, the main motor 28 is stopped, and in thisstate, when the main switch 92 is pressed, in step 219, it is recognizedthat the main switch 92 was turned on, and it becomes in the housingstandby state shown in FIG. 12. Also, the flow is moved to theoperations from step 216, and the container holder 10 is housed insidethe housing part 14 (see FIG. 9).

[0169] Incidentally, when the main motor 28 is being driven to rotateforward and when the operation was performed normally withoutapplication of torque above the specified value to the gear array 40, inthe course that the main arm 20, trays 18, adjusting base plates 58, andadjusting arms 24 rotate via the main base plate 26, the contact pieces102 which are formed on the base parts of the trays 18 contact theprotruding pieces 104 of the base box 52.

[0170] By this, as shown in FIG. 12, the trays 18 rotate around theshafts 100 together with the rotations of the sub assisting plates 98,the trays 18 are placed beneath the main arm 20 in the state in whichthey are placed inside the vehicle compartment, and placement of acontainer 16 becomes possible.

[0171] At this time, the open switch 108 which is disposed on the uppersurface of the main base plate 26 is pressed by contacting with theceiling surface 52B of the base box 52. This open switch 108 is pressed,and in step 222, when it is recognized that it was turned on, in step224, the driving of the main motor 28 is stopped.

[0172] By this, the rotations of the main arm 20, trays 18, adjustingbase plates 58, and adjusting arms 24 are stopped via the main baseplate 26. In this state, the container holder 10 is placed at thespecified position inside the vehicle compartment. Also, at this time,the sub arms 22 are in the closed state (standby 1 state).

[0173] Next, in step 226, the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotateforward. By this, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18, theadjusting base plates 58 rotate, and the sub arms 22 are caused to swaytoward the open direction by the cam walls 118 which are formed on theadjusting arms 24.

[0174] Also, in step 228, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72, and whentorque above the specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72 viathe adjusting arms 24, in step 230, it is determined as to whether ornot the number of times in which the torque above the specified valuewas applied to the gear arrays 72 in the course of step 226 to step 228is one time (it is one time in the present embodiment, but the number oftimes can be freely set).

[0175] When the number of times in which the torque above the specifiedvalue was applied to the gear arrays 72 in the course of step 226 tostep 228 is one time, in step 232, the adjusting motors 60 idle, and theswaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped via the adjusting base plates 58and the adjusting arms 24.

[0176] Also, in step 234, when it is determined that a specified timehas elapsed, in step 236, the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotatein reverse, and the sub arms 22 are caused to sway toward the closingdirection.

[0177] Next, in step 238, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 240, the adjusting motors 60 are stopped, theswaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped, and it returns to the standby 1state (see FIG. 12). By this, the operations from step 226 are performedagain.

[0178] On the other hand, when the number of times in which torque abovethe specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72 in the course ofstep 226 to step 228 is two times, in step 242, the driving of theadjusting motors 60 are stopped.

[0179] By this, the swaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped via theadjusting base plates 58 and the adjusting arms 24. In this state, whenthe main switch 92 is pressed, in step 244, it is recognized that themain switch 92 was turned on, and in step 246, the adjusting motors 60are driven to rotate in reverse, and the sub arms 22 sway toward theclosing directions.

[0180] Here, in the standby 1 state (see FIG. 12), when the main arm 20is pressed toward the housing direction for convenience, the main baseplate 26 becomes capable of some swaying toward the housing directionvia the main arm 20. By this, the open switch 108 which is disposed onthe upper surface of the main base plate 26 may be separated from theceiling surface 52B of the base box 52 and the open switch 108 may beturned off.

[0181] Therefore, in step 244, in addition to being recognized that themain switch 92 was turned on, when it is recognized that the open switch108 was turned off, in step 246, the adjusting motors 60 are driven torotate in reverse, and the sub arms 22 sway toward the closingdirections.

[0182] Next, in step 248, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 250, the driving of the adjusting motors 60 isstopped, the swaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped, and it returns tothe standby 1 state for the time (see FIG. 12).

[0183] Next, in step 252, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate inreverse, and the main arm 20, trays 18, adjusting base plates 58, andadjusting arms 24 rotate toward the housing direction via the main baseplate 26. By this, as shown in FIG. 9, the container holder 10 is housedand the close switch 96 is pressed by the assisting plate 94, and instep 254, when it is recognized that the close switch 96 was turned on,in step 256, the driving of the main motor 28 is stopped and theoperation ends.

[0184] Here, before the housing state, in step 241, when torque abovethe specified value was applied to the gear array 40, in step 243, themain motor 28 idles. By this, the rotation of the main arm 20, and thelike, is stopped via the main base plate 26.

[0185] Also, in step 245, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 247, the main motor 28 is stopped. In this state,when the main switch 92 is pressed, in step 249, it is recognized thatthe main switch 92 was turned on, it becomes in the housing standbystate shown in FIG. 12, the flow is moved to the operations from step252, and the container holder 10 is housed inside the housing part 14(see FIG. 9).

[0186] Here, in step 254, when it is not recognized that the closeswitch 96 was turned on, the main motor 28 is stopped by step 247, andwhen it is recognized by step 249 that the close switch 96 was turnedon, the flow is moved to the operations from step 252.

[0187] On the other hand, when the adjusting motors 60 are being drivento rotate forward and when the operation was performed normally withouttorque above the specified value being applied to the gear arrays 72, asshown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 18, the sub arms 22 become completely open viathe adjusting base plates 58 and the adjusting arms 24, and theadjusting plates 120 which are attached to the adjusting base plates 58contact with the adjusting arm switches 122 which are fixed to the innerwalls of the base box 52.

[0188] Also, in step 258, when it is recognized that these adjusting armswitches 122 were turned on, in step 260, the driving of the adjustingmotors 60 is stopped and the swaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped inthe completely open state, and in addition, the light projectors 134(see FIG. 6) and the light receivers 136 (see FIG. 6) which constitutethe photoelectric sensors 130 are activated, i.e. standby 2 state.

[0189] Next, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 14, when the container 16 isplaced on the tray 18, the light projected from the light projector 134is blocked by the container 16, and when it is determined by step 262that the amount of light received by the light receiver 136 is less thana specified value, in step 264, the adjusting motor 60 is further drivento rotate forward (see FIG. 15).

[0190] Or, when the container 16 is placed on the tray 18, the tray 18sinks by the weight of the container 16, and the tray switch 124 whichis disposed on the main base plate 26 is pressed by the contact piece102 which is placed on the side of the tray 18 which has sunk.

[0191] Also, when it is recognized by step 262 that the tray switch 124was turned on, in step 264, the adjusting motor 60 is further driven torotate forward (see FIG. 15).

[0192] By this, the planetary gear 78 shown in FIG. 4 revolves aroundthe adjusting gear 82, the rotation of which is stopped via the mainbase plate 26, the adjusting arm 24 rotates via the adjusting base plate58 on which the planetary gear 78 is fixed, and the sub arm 22 swaystoward the closing direction (see FIG. 19).

[0193] Also, in step 266, in the course of step 262 to step 266, whentorque above the specified value was applied to the gear array 72 suchas when the adjusting plate 112 which is attached to the front end ofthe adjusting arm 24 has come to contact with the container 16 which wasplaced on the tray 18, in step 268, the adjusting motor 60 idles, andthe swaying of the sub arm 22 is stopped via the adjusting base plate 58and the adjusting arm 24.

[0194] Next, in step 270, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 272, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 isstopped, and in step 278, the adjusting motor 60 is slightly driven torotate in reverse. By this, the sub arm 22 slightly sways toward theopen direction, and in addition, the adjusting arm 24 slightly returnstoward the housing direction. In step 280, when it is determined thatthe specified time has elapsed, in step 282, the driving of theadjusting motor 60 is stopped, the swaying of the sub arm 22 is stopped,and in addition, the rotation of the adjusting arm 24 is stopped(holding state).

[0195] Here, in step 278, by slightly driving the adjusting motor 60 torotate in reverse and slightly returning the adjusting arm 24 toward thehousing direction, when removing the container 16 which is held betweenthe holder 86 and the adjusting plate 112, the container 16 can be takenout easily.

[0196] Also, in the holding state, when the main switch 92 isaccidentally pressed regardless of the fact that the container 16 isbeing held on the tray 18, the main motor 28 is controlled so as not tobe driven, so that the main arm does not rotate 20, and the placedcontainer 16 does not turn over.

[0197] On the other hand, in case the adjusting motor 60 is being drivento rotate forward and the operation was performed normally withoutapplying above specified torque to the gear array 72, in step 274, whenit is determined that a specified time has elapsed, in step 276, thedriving of the adjusting motor 60 is stopped, the swaying of the sub arm22 is stopped, and in addition, the rotation of the adjusting arm 24 isstopped. Also, through steps 278 to 282, the container holder 10 becomesin the holding state.

[0198] Here, the specified time in step 274 is set as the time until thesub arm 22 contacts the container 16, imagining the container having thenarrowest external dimensional measurement (not illustrated) among thecontainers 16 to be held by this container holder 10.

[0199] Also, in the case of a container that is thicker than thiscontainer (not illustrated), when the adjusting plate 112 contacts thecontainer, in step 266, it becomes that torque above a specified valueis applied to the gear array 72 via the adjusting plate 112. By this,the force to hold the container 16 by the holder 86 and the adjustingplate 112 becomes roughly equal.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 16, when the container 16 which was placed onthe tray 18 is removed, in step 284, it is recognized that the trayswitch 124 was turned off, and in step 286, the adjusting motor 60 isdriven to rotate in reverse.

[0201] Or, as shown in FIG. 16, when the container 16 which was placedon the tray 18 is removed, the light projected from the light projector134 (see FIG. 6) is received without being changed by the light receiver136 (see FIG. 6), and in step 284, when it is determined that the amountof light received by the light receiver 136 is above the specifiedvalue, in step 286, the adjusting motor 60 is driven to rotate inreverse. By this, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 18, the sub arm 22 swaystoward the open direction via the adjusting base plate 58 and theadjusting arm 24.

[0202] Also, in step 288, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear array 72 in the courseof step 286 to step 288, and when the operation was performed normallywithout torque above the specified value being applied to the gear array72, the adjusting plate 120 which is attached to the adjusting baseplate 58 is separated from the adjusting arm switch 122 which is fixedon the base box 52, and the adjusting arm switch 122 is turned off.

[0203] Next, in step 290, when it is recognized that the adjusting armswitch 122 was turned off, in step 292, the driving of the adjustingmotor 60 is stopped, and the swaying of the sub arm 22 is stopped(re-standby 2 state).

[0204] In this re-standby 2 state (see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15), when thecontainer 16 is placed back on the tray 18, the tray switch 124 ispressed by the contact piece 102, and when it is recognized by step 294that the tray switch 124 was turned on, the flow moves to the operationsfrom step 264.

[0205] On the other hand, in the re-standby 2 state, when the container16 is not placed on the tray 18, because the tray switch 124 is turnedoff, in step 294, it is recognized that the tray switch 124 is not on.

[0206] Or, in this re-standby 2 state (see FIG. 6, FIG. 14, and FIG.15), when the container 16 is placed back on the tray 18, the lightprojected from the light projector 134 is blocked by the container 16,and when it is determined by step 294 that the amount of light receivedby the light receiver 136 is less than the specified value, the flowmoves to the operations from step 264.

[0207] On the other hand, in the re-standby 2 state, when the container16 is not placed on the tray 18, the light projected from the lightprojector 134 is received without being changed by the light receiver136, and in step 294, it is determined that the amount of light receivedby the light receiver 136 is less than the specified value.

[0208] In this state, when the main switch 92 is pressed and it isrecognized by step 296 that the main switch 92 was turned on, in step298, the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotate in reverse. By this,as shown in FIG. 12, the sub arms 22 sway toward the closing directionstogether with the rotations of the adjusting arms 24. Also, at thistime, the operations of the light projectors 134 and the light receivers136 which constitute the photoelectric sensors 130 are stopped.

[0209] Here, in the re-standby 2 state as well, just as in the standby 1state, when the main arm 20 is pressed toward the housing direction, theopen switch 108 may become turned off. Therefore, in step 296, inaddition to being recognized that the main switch 92 was turned on, whenit is recognized that the open switch 108 was turned off, in step 298,the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotate in reverse, and the subarms 22 sway toward the closing direction.

[0210] Also, in step 300, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72, and whenthe operation was performed normally without applying torque above thespecified value to the gear arrays 72, as shown in FIG. 12, the armpositioning switches 126 which are provided on the adjusting base plates58 are pressed by the stands 94A of the assisting plate 94.

[0211] By this, when it is recognized by step 302 that the armpositioning switches 126 were turned on, in step 304, the adjustingmotors 60 are stopped (housing standby state).

[0212] Also, in step 306, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate inreverse, and as shown in FIG. 10, the main arm 20, trays 18, adjustingbase plates 58, and adjusting arms 24 rotate toward the housingdirection via the main base plate 26.

[0213] At this time, in step 308, it is determined as to whether or nottorque above the specified value was applied to the gear array 40, andwhen the operation was performed normally without applying torque abovethe specified value to the gear array 40, as shown in FIG. 9, thecontainer holder 10 is housed, and the close switch 96 is pressed by theassisting plate 94.

[0214] Next, in step 310, when it is recognized that the close switch 96was turned on, in step 312, the driving of the main motor 28 is turnedoff and the operation ends. Here, in step 310, when it is not recognizedthat the close switch 96 was turned on, the main motor 28 is stopped bystep 330, and when it is recognized by step 332 that the close switch 96was turned on, the flow is moved to the operations from step 306.

[0215] On the other hand, in step 288, as shown in FIG. 16, when torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear array 72 after thecontainer 16 which was placed on the tray 18 was removed, in step 314,the adjusting motor 60 idles, and the swaying of the sub arm 22 towardthe open direction is stopped.

[0216] Also, in step 315, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 317, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 isstopped. In case the main switch 92 is pressed in this state, in step316, when it is recognized that the main switch 92 was turned on, instep 319, the adjusting motor 60 is driven to rotate in reverse. Bythis, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 18, the sub arm 22 sways toward theopen direction via the adjusting base plate 58 and the adjusting arm 24.

[0217] Also, before it comes to the housing standby state shown in FIG.12, in step 300, when torque above the specified value was applied tothe gear array 72, in step 318, the adjusting motor 60 idles, and theswaying of the sub arm 22 toward the closing direction is stopped. Also,in step 320, when it is determined that the specified time has elapsed,in step 322, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 is stopped.

[0218] The main switch 92 is pressed in this state, and in step 324,when it is recognized that the main switch 92 was turned on, it becomesin the housing standby state, and the flow is moved to the operationsfrom step 298.

[0219] Furthermore, before it comes to the housing state shown in FIG.9, in step 308, when torque above the specified value was applied to thegear array 40, in step 326, the main motor 28 idles. By this, therotation of the main arm 20, and the like, is stopped via the main baseplate 26.

[0220] Also, in step 328, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 330, the main motor 28 is stopped. In this state,when the main switch 92 is pressed, in step 332, it is recognized thatthe main switch 92 was turned on, it comes to the housing standby stateshown in FIG. 12, the flow is moved to the operations from step 306, andthe container holder 10 is housed inside the housing part 14 (see FIG.9).

[0221] According to the construction as above, by controlling such thatdetermination is made as to whether or not torque above the specifiedvalue is applied to the gear arrays 40 and 72 for each operation, safetyis ensured such that the container holder 10 is not forcefully pushedout. Also, since torque above the necessary value is not applied to thegear arrays 40 and 72 in this manner, damage to the container holder 10is prevented and the life can be made longer.

[0222] Also, by controlling by the control device such that the main arm20 is stopped when torque above the specified value is applied two ormore times to the gear array 40 during the period before the main arm 20moves to the specified position inside the vehicle compartment, the mainmotor 28 as the second driving means ca be prevented from continuing torotate.

[0223] Here, the presence or absence of the container 16 on the tray 18was sensed as shown in FIG. 6 by using the projection type photoelectricsensor 130, but the method of disposing of the photoelectric sensor 130is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, it also may bemade such that a reflective plate 140 is placed on the tray 18, thelight emitting element or the light receiving element (respectively notillustrated) of the light projector 142 and the light receiver 144 aredisposed to face the reflective plate, and the light projected from thelight projector 142 is reflected by the reflective plate 140 and isreceived by the light receiver 144. By this, the distance that the lighttravels is made longer, and even if it is a highly transparent container16, the transmissivity can be lowered and the amount of light receivedby the light receiver 144 can be decreased. Also, it is not limited tothe transmission type photoelectric sensor, and a reflection typephotoelectric sensor also may be used.

[0224] Also, as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, an ultrasonic sensor 146also may be used. It may be made such that ultrasonic waves are emittedby a wave transmitter 148 which is a constituent of this ultrasonicsensor 146, and the ultrasonic waves reflected by the container 16 arereceived by a wave receiver 150, and the fact that the container 16 isplaced on the tray 18 can be sensed by the time required from when theultrasonic waves are emitted from the wave transmitter 148 to when theyare received by the wave receiver 150.

[0225] Furthermore, as the contactless sensing means, a transmissiontype ultrasonic sensor which senses by blocking of ultrasonic waves orattenuation of ultrasonic waves, a reflection type ultrasonic sensorwhich senses only reflecting bodies in a specified region, also, aproximity sensor such as a high-frequency oscillation type which useselectromagnetic inductance, a magnetic type which uses a magnetic, or anelectrostatic capacitance type which uses change of electrostaticcapacitance, or a laser sensor which uses a laser beam, or the like,also may be used.

[0226] Also, here, it was determined as to whether or not torque abovethe specified value was applied to the gear array 40 and the gear arrays72, but in regard to the gear arrays 72, it is not necessary todetermine whether or not torque above the specified value was applied.

[0227] Also, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 12,the tray 18 for placing the container 16 was provided independently foreach holder 86 provided on the left and right in the width direction ofthe vehicle, and the gap was provided between the upper surface 12A ofthe console box 12 and the contact part 106 of the tray 18 in thestandby 2 state, such that when the container 16 is placed, the tray 18sinks and the contact part 106 contacts the upper surface 12A of theconsole box 12, but it also may be made such that a contact part 106 ofthe tray 18 contacts the upper surface 12A of the console box 12 in thestandby 2 state. Also, the tray 18 is not necessarily required, and italso may be made such that the container 16 is placed directly on theupper surface 12A of the console box 12.

[0228] Also, because it is fine as long as the adjusting plate 112 andthe adjusting arm 24 for holding the container 16 together with theholder 86 are operated independently for each holder 86, it is notlimited to the present embodiment. Therefore, the movements of the mainarm 20, adjusting plate 112, and adjusting arm 24 also are not limitedto rotational movements.

[0229] Also, the main arm 20 was automatically caused to rotate by themain motor 28 (see FIG. 3), but the main arm 20 also may be caused toappear and disappear in and out of the vehicle compartment by the manualoperation. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the sub arm 22 whichsways together with the movement of the adjusting arm 24 was used, butcases in which there is no sub arm 22 according to the shape of theadjusting plate 112 also can be imagined.

[0230] Next, the operation of the container holder in which a drawerdevice pertaining to the invention is applied is explained following theflow charts shown in FIG. 28 to FIG. 31 and referring to FIG. 3.

[0231] As shown in FIG. 9, first, when the main switch 92 which isprovided on the cosmetic plate 90 placed inside the vehicle compartmentis pressed, in step 200, it is recognized by a control device notillustrated that the main switch 92 was turned on.

[0232] By this, in step 202, the main motor 28 is driven to rotateforward. Therefore, the planetary gear 50 shown in FIG. 4 revolvesaround the fixed gear 56 and the main base plate 26 rotates, and inaddition, the planetary gear 78 revolves by the adjusting gear 82 viathe main base plate 26 and the adjusting base plate 58 rotates, and asshown in FIG. 11, the main arm 20, trays 18, and adjusting arms 24rotate and they appear inside the vehicle compartment.

[0233] Here, the open switch 108 is disposed on the upper surface of themain base plate 26, and when the main base plate 26 rotates for aspecified amount, the open switch 108 contacts the ceiling surface 52Bof the base box 52 such that it is pressed.

[0234] Therefore, in step 204, when a specified time has elapsed, instep 206, it is determined as to whether or not the open switch 108 wasturned on, and when the open switch 108 was not turned on during thespecified time, such as when there was an obstacle on the movement trackof the main arm 20, in step 208, the main motor 28 is stopped, and therotation of the container holder 10 is stopped via the main base plate26. Also, in step 210, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate in reverse,and the container holder 10 is housed (see FIG. 9).

[0235] At this time, the close switch 96 which is disposed on the basebox 52 is pressed by the assisting plate 94, and in step 212, when it isrecognized that the close switch 96 was turned on, in step 214, thedriving of the main motor 28 is stopped and the operation ends.

[0236] Incidentally, when the operation of the main motor 28 wasperformed normally, in the course that the main arm 20, trays 18,adjusting base plates 58, and adjusting arms 24 rotate via the main baseplate 26, the contact pieces 102 which are formed on the base parts ofthe trays 18 contact the protruding pieces 104 of the base box 52.

[0237] By this, as shown in FIG. 12, the trays 18 rotate around theshafts 100 together with the rotation of the sub assisting plates 98,the trays 18 are placed beneath the main arm 20 in the state in whichthey are placed inside the vehicle compartment, and the containers 16can be placed.

[0238] At this time, the open switch 108 is pressed by contacting theceiling surface 52B of the base box 52, and in step 206, when it isrecognized that it was turned on, in step 216, the driving of the mainmotor 28 is stopped.

[0239] By this, the rotations of the main arm 20, trays 18, adjustingbase plates 58, and adjusting arms 24 are stopped via the main baseplate 26. In this state, the container holder 10 is placed at thespecified position inside the vehicle compartment. Also, at this time,the sub arms 22 are in the closed state (standby 1 state).

[0240] Next, in step 226, the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotateforward. By this, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18, theadjusting base plates 58 rotate, and the sub arms 22 are caused to swaytoward the open directions by the cam walls 118 which are formed on theadjusting arms 24.

[0241] Also, in step 228, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72 according tothe change of electrical current by an electrical current detector notillustrated, and when torque above the specified value was applied tothe gear arrays 72 via the adjusting arms 24, in step 230, it isdetermined as to whether or not the number of times in which torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72 in thecourse of step 226 to step 228 is one time (it is one time in thepresent embodiment, but the number of times can be freely set).

[0242] When the number of times in which torque above the specifiedvalue was applied to the gear arrays 72 in the course of step 226 tostep 228 is one time, in step 232, the adjusting motors 60 idle, and theswaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped via the adjusting base plates 58and the adjusting arms 24.

[0243] Also, in step 234, when it is determined that a specified timehas elapsed, in step 236, the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotatein reverse, and the sub arms 22 are caused to sway toward the closingdirection.

[0244] Next, in step 238, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 240, the adjusting motors 60 are stopped, theswaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped, and it returns to the standby 1state (see FIG. 12). By this, the operations from step 226 are performedagain.

[0245] On the other hand, when the number of times in which torque abovethe specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72 in the course ofstep 226 to step 228 is two times, in step 242, the driving of theadjusting motors 60 are stopped. By this, the swaying of the sub arms 22is stopped via the adjusting base plates 58 and the adjusting arms 24,and in step 246, the adjusting motors 60 are driven to rotate inreverse, and the sub arms 22 sway toward the closing directions.

[0246] Also, in step 248, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 250, the driving of the adjusting motors 60 isstopped, the swaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped, and it returns tothe standby 1 state for a while (see FIG. 12).

[0247] Next, in step 252, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate inreverse, and the main arm 20, trays 18, adjusting base plates 58, andadjusting arms 24 rotate toward the housing direction via the main baseplate 26. By this, as shown in FIG. 9, the container holder 10 is housedand the close switch 96 is pressed by the assisting plate 94, and instep 254, when it is recognized that the close switch 96 was turned on,in step 256, the driving of the main motor 28 is stopped and theoperation ends.

[0248] Thus, when the opening and closing operations of the sub arms 22are not performed normally, the cases in which the sub arms 22 aredamaged also can be imagined. Thus, by automatically operating thecontainer holder 10 to be housed, the container holder 10 in a state inwhich the sub arms 22 are damaged is prevented from being left insidethe vehicle compartment.

[0249] Incidentally, when the adjusting motors are being driven torotate forward and the operation was performed normally without applyingtorque above the specified value to the gear arrays 72, as shown in FIG.13 and FIG. 18, the sub arms 22 become completely open via the adjustingbase plates 58 and the adjusting arms 24, and the adjusting plates 120which are attached to the adjusting base plates 58 contact the adjustingarm switches 122 which are fixed to the inner walls of the base box 52.

[0250] Also, in step 258, when it is recognized that these adjusting armswitches 122 were turned on, in step 260, the driving of the adjustingmotors 60 is stopped and the swaying of the sub arms 22 is stopped inthe completely opened state (below, this state is called “standby 2state”).

[0251] Next, as shown in FIG. 14, when the container 16 is placed on thetray 18, the tray 18 sinks by the weight of the container 16, and thetray switch 124 which is disposed on the main base plate 26 is pressedby the contact piece 102 which is placed on the side of the tray 18which has sunk.

[0252] Also, when it is recognized by step 262 that the tray switch 124was turned on, in step 264, the adjusting motor 60 is further driven torotate forward (see FIG. 15). By this, the planetary gear 78 shown inFIG. 4 revolves around the adjusting gear 82, the rotation of which isstopped via the main base plate 26, the adjusting arm 24 rotates via theadjusting base plate 58 on which the planetary gear 78 is fixed, and thesub arm 22 sways toward the closing direction (see FIG. 19).

[0253] Also, in step 266, in the course of step 262 to step 266, whentorque above the specified value was applied to the gear array 72 suchas when the adjusting plate 112 which is attached to the front end ofthe adjusting arm 24 has come to contact with the container 16 which wasplaced on the tray 18, in step 268, the adjusting motor 60 idles, andthe swaying of the sub arm 22 is stopped via the adjusting base plate 58and the adjusting arm 24.

[0254] Next, in step 270, when it is determined that a specified timehas elapsed, in step 272, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 isstopped, and in step 278, the adjusting motor 60 is slightly driven torotate in reverse. By this, the sub arm 22 slightly sways toward theopen direction, and in addition, the adjusting arm 24 slightly returnstoward the housing direction. In step 280, when it is determined thatthe specified time has elapsed, in step 282, the driving of theadjusting motor 60 is stopped, the swaying of the sub arm 22 is stopped,and in addition, the rotation of the adjusting arm 24 is stopped(holding state).

[0255] Here, in step 278, by slightly driving the adjusting motor 60 torotate in reverse and slightly returning the adjusting arm 24 toward thehousing direction, when removing the container 16 which is held betweenthe holder 86 and the adjusting plate 112, the container 16 can beremoved easily.

[0256] Also, in the holding state, when the main switch 92 isaccidentally pressed regardless of the fact that the container 16 isbeing held on the tray 18, the main motor 28 is controlled so as not tobe driven. Therefore, the main arm does not rotate 20, and the placedcontainer 16 does not turn over.

[0257] On the other hand, when the adjusting motor 60 is being driven torotate forward and when the operation was performed normally withoutapplying torque above the specified value to the gear array 72, in step274, when it is determined that the specified time has elapsed, in step276, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 is stopped, the swaying ofthe sub arm 22 is stopped, and in addition, the rotation of theadjusting arm 24 is stopped. Also, through steps 278 to 282, thecontainer holder 10 comes to the holding state.

[0258] Here, the specified time in step 274 is set as the time untilcontacting with the container 16, imagining the container having thenarrowest external dimensional measurement (not illustrated) among thecontainers 16 to be held by this container holder 10.

[0259] Also, in the case of a container that is thicker than thiscontainer (not illustrated), when the adjusting plate 112 contacts thecontainer, in step 266, it becomes that torque above the specified valueis applied to the gear array 72 via the adjusting plate 112. By this,the force to hold the container 16 by the holder 86 and the adjustingplate 112 becomes roughly equal.

[0260] Next, as shown in FIG. 16, when the container 16 which was placedon the tray 18 is removed, in step 284, it is recognized that the trayswitch 124 was turned off, and in step 286, the adjusting motor 60 isdriven to rotate in reverse. By this, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 18,the sub arm 22 sways toward the open direction via the adjusting baseplate 58 and the adjusting arm 24.

[0261] Also, in step 288, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear array 72 in the courseof step 286 to step 288, and when the operation was performed normallywithout applying torque above the specified value to the gear array 72,the adjusting plate 120 which is attached to the adjusting base plate 58is separated from the adjusting arm switch 122 which is fixed on thebase box 52, and the adjusting arm switch 122 is turned off.

[0262] Next, in step 290, when it is recognized that the adjusting armswitch 122 was turned off, in step 292, the driving of the adjustingmotor 60 is stopped, and the swaying of the sub arm 22 is stopped(re-standby 2 state).

[0263] In this re-standby 2 state (see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15), when thecontainer 16 is placed back on the tray 18, the tray switch 124 ispressed by the contact piece 102, and when it is recognized by step 294that the tray switch 124 was turned on, the flow moves to the operationsfrom step 264.

[0264] On the other hand, in the re-standby 2 state, when the container16 is not placed on the tray 18, because the tray switch 124 is turnedoff, in step 294, it is recognized that the tray switch 124 is not on.In this state, when the main switch 92 is pressed and it is recognizedby step 296 that the main switch 92 was turned on, in step 298, theadjusting motors 60 are driven to rotate in reverse. By this, as shownin FIG. 12, the sub arms 22 sway toward the closing directions togetherwith the rotation of the adjusting arms 24.

[0265] Here, in the standby 2 state, when the main arm 20 is pressedtoward the housing direction for convenience, the main base plate 26becomes capable of some swaying toward the housing direction via themain arm 20. By this, the open switch 108 which is disposed on the uppersurface of the main base plate 26 may be separated from the ceilingsurface 52B of the base box 52 and the open switch 108 may be turnedoff.

[0266] Therefore, in step 296, in addition to being recognized that themain switch 92 was turned on, when it is recognized that the open switch108 was turned off, in step 298, the adjusting motors 60 are driven torotate in reverse, and the sub arms 22 sway toward the closingdirections together with the rotation of the adjusting arms 24.

[0267] Also, in step 300, it is determined as to whether or not torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear arrays 72, and whenthe operation was performed normally without applying torque above thespecified value to the gear arrays 72, as shown in FIG. 11, the armpositioning switches 126 which are provided on the adjusting base plates58 are pressed by the stands 94A of the assisting plate 94. By this,when it is recognized by step 302 that the arm positioning switches 126were turned on, in step 304, the adjusting motors 60 are stopped(housing standby state).

[0268] Also, in step 306, the main motor 28 is driven to rotate inreverse, and as shown in FIG. 10, the main arm 20, trays 18, adjustingbase plates 58, and adjusting arms 24 rotate toward the housingdirection via the main base plate 26.

[0269] At this time, in step 308, it is determined as to whether or nottorque above the specified value was applied to the gear array 40, andwhen the operation was performed normally without applying torque abovethe specified value to the gear array 40, as shown in FIG. 9, thecontainer holder 10 is housed, and the close switch 96 is pressed by theassisting plate 94.

[0270] Next, in step 310, when it is recognized that the close switch 96was turned on, in step 312, the driving of the main motor 28 is turnedoff and the operation ends.

[0271] On the other hand, in step 288, as shown in FIG. 16, when torqueabove the specified value was applied to the gear array 72 after thecontainer 16 which was placed on the tray 18 was removed, in step 314,the adjusting motor 60 idles, and the swaying of the sub arm 22 towardthe open direction is stopped.

[0272] Also, in step 315, when it is determined that a specified timehas elapsed, in step 317, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 isstopped, the flow is moved to the operations from step 298, and theadjusting motor is again driven to rotate in reverse to cause the subarm 22 to sway toward the closing direction.

[0273] Incidentally, before it comes to the housing standby state, instep 300, when torque above the specified value was applied to the geararray 72, in step 318, the adjusting motor 60 idles, and the swaying ofthe sub arm 22 toward the closing direction is stopped.

[0274] Also, in step 320, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 322, the driving of the adjusting motor 60 isstopped. In this state, it comes to the housing standby state, the flowis moved to the operations from step 306, and the container holder 10 ishoused inside the housing part 14 (see FIG. 9).

[0275] Furthermore, before it comes to the housing state shown in FIG.9, in step 308, when torque above the specified value was applied to thegear array 40, in step 326, the main motor 28 idles. By this, therotation of the main arm 20, and the like, is stopped via the main baseplate 26.

[0276] Also, in step 328, when it is determined that the specified timehas elapsed, in step 330, the main motor 28 is stopped, it comes to thehousing standby state shown in FIG. 11, the flow is moved to theoperations from step 306, and the container holder 10 is housed insidethe housing part 14 (see FIG. 9).

[0277] In the container holder 10 in which the drawer device pertainingto the embodiment is applied, by the fact that the open switch 108 isprovided as the sensing means such that the open switch 108 is pressedwhen the main arm 20 rotates for a specified amount, such that it can bedetermined as to whether or not the main arm 20 has rotated for thespecified amount, such that the container holder 10 is housed when themain arm 20 has not rotated within a specified time, the containerholder 10 in a mid-course of movement is not left inside the vehiclecompartment. By this, it is safe because there is no situation in whichthe container holder 10 is used in the mid-course of movement.

[0278] Also, in regard to the sub arms 22 as well, by the fact that inthe standby 1 state, the container holder 10 is automatically housedwhen torque above the specified value is applied to the adjusting motors60, there is no situation in which the container holder 10 is leftinside the vehicle compartment regardless of the fact that the sub arms22 is damaged.

[0279] Also, by the fact that torque limiters 36 and 68 are respectivelyprovided in the gears 40 and 72 such that torque above the specifiedvalue is not applied to the main motor 28 and the adjusting motors 60,safety is assured such that the container holder 10 is not forcefullypushed out. Also, by the fact that torque above necessary value is notapplied to the gears 40 and 72 in this manner, damage to the containerholder 10 is prevented, and the life can be made longer.

[0280] Furthermore, here, it was made such that the time required foreach operation is predefined, and it is determined that some problem hasoccurred by the fact that the switch indicating the end of eachoperation is not turned on within the specified time, so that thecontainer holder 10 is housed. However, it is fine as long as thesituation is avoided, in which the container holder 10 is left in thestopped state in a mid-course of operation when some problem hasoccurred in the container holder 10. Thus, it is not limited to thisstructure.

[0281] For example, an electrical current detector is connected also tothe main motor 28, and the amount of electrical current passing to themain motor 28 is detected such that the change of torque applied to themain motor 28 is sensed. By this, it is no longer necessary to predefinethe time.

[0282] Also, it was made such that, imagining the container having thenarrowest external size (not illustrated) among the containers 16 to beheld by the container holder 10, in the standby 2 state, when theadjusting motor 60 was driven to rotate forward in the state in whichthe container 16 is placed on the tray 18, in step 274, the time untilcontacting with this container is set and it is determined as to whetheror not the specified time has elapsed. However, because it is made suchthat the fact that the container 16 has contacted with the adjustingplate 112 is determined from the start by the change of electricalcurrent, the determination in step 274 is not necessarily required.

[0283] Furthermore, here, it was made such that the tray 18 for placingthe container 16 is provided independently for each holder 86 providedon the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, and theadjusting plate 112 and the adjusting arm 24 which cause the sub arm 22to sway and hold the container 16 together with the holder 86 are causedto operate independently for each holder 86, but because it is fine aslong as the container 16 is held in the independent state for eachholder 86, it is not limited to the present embodiment.

[0284] Therefore, the movements of the main arm 22, adjusting plate 112,and adjusting arm 24 are not limited to the rotational movements. Also,in the present embodiment, the sub arm 22 which sways together with themovement of the adjust arm 24 was used, but it can be also imagined thatno sub arm 22 is used according to the shape of the adjusting plate 112.

[0285] Also, in the present embodiment, the container holder wasexplained, but the present invention is not limited to this, and becauseit is fine as long as it is a drawer device that is capable of appearingand disappearing inside the vehicle compartment, it also may be an ashtray.

[0286] Because the present invention has the above construction, in thefirst aspect of the invention, the drawer member in the mid-course ofmovement is not left inside the vehicle compartment. Therefore, it issafe because there is no situation in which the drawer member is used inthe mid-course of movement. In the second aspect of the invention, thedrawer member in the mid-course of movement is not left inside thevehicle compartment, and also torque above necessary value is notapplied to the driving means. In the third aspect of the invention, itis determined as to whether or not the operation of the drawer member isnormal. In the fourth aspect of the invention, it is determined thattorque above a specified value was applied to the driving means bysensing the change of electrical current.

[0287] In the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, because theadjusting member moves independently respectively for each tray, thecontainer can be securely held or smoothly placed. Also, furthermore, bythe fact that the adjusting member is caused to move to hold thecontainer together with the receiving part, it differs from the casewhere the container is held simply by the force of a spring, or thelike. The container can be securely held by the holding force that isroughly equal regardless of the size of the container. Also, even if thesizes of the containers which are placed on the respective trays aredifferent, the containers can be securely held by the receiving partsand adjusting members for the respective trays fitting the sizes of thecontainers.

[0288] In the seventh aspect of the invention, by operating the trayswitch by the movement of the tray, it is judged as to whether or not acontainer was placed on the tray by the weight of the container, so thatthe placement or non-placement of the container can be surely sensed. Inthe eighth aspect of the invention, even when the container placed onthe tray has a shape in which a constricted part is formed on the outerperimeter, for example a cola bottle, the container can be easilyremoved by causing the sub arm to sway toward the direction opposing theforce to be opened.

[0289] In the ninth aspect of the invention, a slight gap is providedwith the container which is held by the receiving part and the adjustingmember, so that the container is made easier to remove. In the tenthaspect of the invention, it is safe because the main arm is not left inthe stopped state in the mid-course of movement toward the specifiedposition inside the vehicle compartment.

[0290] In the eleventh aspect of the invention, it is safe because themain arm is not forcefully pushed out toward the inside of the vehiclecompartment regardless of torque above the specified value being appliedto the first driving means, and torque above the necessary level is notapplied to the first driving means. In the twelfth aspect of theinvention, even if the main switch which drives the first driving meansis accidentally pressed regardless of the fact that the container isheld on the tray, the placed container does not turn over because themain arm does not rotate.

[0291] In the thirteenth aspect of the invention, when the first motoris driven, the first planetary gear revolves around the first fixed gearand the main arm rotates, and in addition, the second gear rotates viathe main arm, the second planetary gear which engages this second gearis caused to revolve, and the adjusting member is caused to rotate.Also, when the second motor is driven in the state in which the drivingof the first motor is stopped, the planetary gear revolves around thesecond gear which is stopped via the main arm which has stoppedrotation, and the adjusting member rotates.

[0292] In the fourteenth aspect of the invention, by providing thecontactless sensing means such that it can be sensed as to whether ornot the container is placed between the receiving part and the holdingmember, even if the container moves up and down due to vibration duringrunning of the vehicle, the sensing means is not influenced by this.That is, the container placed between the receiving part and the holdingmember can be assuredly sensed regardless of the vibration duringrunning of the vehicle.

[0293] In the fifteenth aspect of the invention, by causing lightprojected from the light projecting body to be transmitted or reflected,it can be sensed as to whether the container is placed between thereceiving part and the holding member by the change of luminous energyreceived by the light receiving body.

[0294] In the sixteenth aspect of the invention, by causing ultrasonicwaves emitted from the wave transmitting body to be reflected andcausing them to be received by the wave receiving body, it can be sensedas to whether or not the container is placed between the receiving partand the holding member by the time required from when the ultrasonicwaves are emitted by the wave transmitter to when the ultrasonic wavesare received by the wave receiver.

[0295] In the seventeenth aspect of the invention, it is convenientbecause the main arm does not have to be caused to appear and disappearin and out of the vehicle compartment by the manual operation. In theeighteenth aspect of the invention, it is safe because the main arm isnot left in the stopped state in the mid-course of movement toward thespecified position inside the vehicle compartment.

[0296] In the nineteenth aspect of the invention, when the sub arm isopened in the state in which the container is not placed between thereceiving part and the holding member, and the container is placed, thesub arm sways so as to be closed accompanying the movement of theholding member.

[0297] In the twentieth aspect of the invention, even when the containerplaced between the receiving part and the holding member has a shape inwhich a constricted part is formed on the outer perimeter, for example acola bottle, the container can be easily removed by causing the sub armto sway toward the direction opposing the force and to be opened.

[0298] While the invention has been explained with reference to thespecific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrativeand the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container holder comprising: a main arm having container receiving parts formed on two lateral ends thereof, first driving means connected to the main arm for moving the main arm in and out of a compartment, trays linked with the main arm and moving in and out of the compartment together with the main arm, said trays being provided independently corresponding to each of said receiving parts, adjusting members provided independently corresponding to the receiving parts, respectively, each of said adjusting members holding a container placed on said tray together with the receiving part, and second driving means connected to the adjusting members for moving said adjusting members to move toward the container placed on the tray.
 2. A container holder according to claim 1, further comprising sub arms supported to be able to sway on the main arm and swaying together with movements of the adjusting members.
 3. A container holder according to claim 2, further comprising tray switches operably connected to the trays, each tray switch being operated by a movement of the tray when the container is placed on the tray, and control means connected to the second driving means for driving the second driving means to close each of the sub arms when one of the tray switches is turned on and to release each of the sub arms when the one of the tray switches is turned off.
 4. A container holder according to claim 2, further comprising forcing means for urging each of the sub arms toward a closing direction, said sub arm swaying toward a direction opposite to a force of said forcing means when the sub arm is in a closing state.
 5. A container holder according to claim 3, wherein said control means returns the adjusting member for a predetermined amount when said adjusting member is closed and meets the container.
 6. A container holder according to claim 3, wherein said control means operates the main arm such that the main arm is housed when torque above a predetermined value is applied to the first driving means during a time until said main arm moves toward a predetermined position inside the compartment.
 7. A container holder according to claim 3, wherein said control means operates such that the main arm stops when torque above a predetermined value is applied to the first driving means during a time until the main arm moves toward a predetermined position inside the compartment.
 8. A container holder according to claim 3, wherein said main arm is immovable when said tray switch is in a turned-on state.
 9. A container holder according to claim 1, wherein said first driving means comprises a first fixed gear, a first planetary gear fixed to the main arm and revolving around the first fixed gear, and a first motor for providing a rotational force to the first planetary gear; and said second driving means comprises a second fixed gear, a second planetary gear fixed to the adjusting member and revolving around the second gear fixed to the main arm, said second planetary gear being able to rotate integrally with the main arm, and a second motor for providing a rotational force to the second planetary gear.
 10. A container holder, comprising: a main arm having a container receiving part thereon, a holding member for holding a container together with the receiving part, first driving means connected to the holding member for moving the holding member toward the container, sensing means for contactlessly sensing the container placed between the receiving part and the holding member, and control means connected to the first driving means for driving the first driving means when it is sensed by the sensing means that the container is placed between the receiving part and the holding member.
 11. A container holder according to claim 10, wherein said sensing means is a photoelectric sensor for projecting light toward the container.
 12. A container holder according to claim 10, wherein said sensing means is an ultrasonic sensor for emitting ultrasonic waves toward the container.
 13. A container holder according to claim 10, further comprising second driving means connected to the main arm to move the main arm in and out of a compartment.
 14. A container holder according to claim 13, wherein said control means operates such that the main arm is housed when torque above a predetermined value is applied to the second driving means during a time until the main arm moves to a predetermined position inside the compartment.
 15. A container holder according to claim 10, further comprising a sub arm supported on the main arm so as to be able to sway on the main arm together with a movement of the holding member.
 16. A container holder according to claim 15, further comprising forcing means for urging the sub arm toward a closed direction, said sub arm being able to sway toward a direction opposite to a force of the forcing means when the sub arm is in a closed state. 